A Historical Analysis of Violence and Insecurity Between Tugen and Pokot of Baringo County in Kenya Since 1800 – 2023

Globally, violence and insecurity persist as major challenges, often driven by ethnic tensions, political instability, competition over natural resources, and the proliferation of illicit arms. Kenya, like many nations, has not been immune to these dynamics. In Baringo County, historical patterns of violence traced from the pre-colonial through the post-colonial period have been predominantly fueled by competition over scarce resources such as grazing land and water. It is against this background that the study undertook a historical analysis of violence and insecurity between the Tugen and Pokot communities of Baringo County, Kenya, from 1800 to 2020, with the aim of identifying the underlying causes, patterns, and intervention measures related to the conflict. The specific objectives of the study were to; trace the trends of violence and insecurity between the Tugen and Pokot upto1800, explore the factors that have contributed to violence and insecurity between the Tugen and Pokot since 1800 and evaluate the roles of stakeholders in promoting security among the Tugen and Pokot of Baringo County. The study was anchored on cultural violence theory. The study adopted a historical research design. The study targeted the County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioners, local politicians, local chiefs, religious leaders, Council of elders, women groups and Moran’s. The sample size was determined upon reaching content saturation after interviewing 216 respondents. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used for the study. The study utilized in-depth interviews and focused group discussions as instruments of data collection. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze qualitative data and results presented in narration and verbatim quotations. According to the findings, the study established that violence and insecurity between the Tugen and Pokot communities of Baringo County have evolved from sporadic, resource-sharing tensions before 1800 into more organized, persistent, and militarized forms of conflict driven by environmental degradation, politicized ethnicity, cultural legitimization and long-standing marginalization since the 19th century. Initially managed through traditional governance systems and elder-led mediation, conflict escalated due to recurring droughts, colonial boundary disruptions, proliferation of weapons and socio-economic inequalities. The findings also demonstrated the crucial roles played by stakeholders particularly NGOs, peace committees, traditional elders, religious institutions in promoting dialogue and community led peace building initiatives. Based on these insights, the study concludes that violence between the Tugen and Pokot was largely influenced by pastoral traditions, such as competition for scares resources, cattle raiding and marginalization of the Pokot region. The study recommends the need to strengthen traditional system of governance by revitalizing customary conflict resolution, enhancement of government security presence and improving coordination among peace actors, accelerating land adjudication process, investment in infrastructural development and empowering faith-based organizations in peace building and fostering accountable political leadership. Furthermore, fostering inclusive and accountable political leadership was critical to achieving sustainable peace in Baringo County.